Franchise Notes

In L.A., Mike DiGiovanna reports Angels manager Mike Scioscia and GM Jerry Dipoto yesterday were "informed by owner Arte Moreno that they will be retained for 2014, ending months of speculation that one, or both, would be fired." Scioscia has five years and $27M "left on his contract." Dipoto has one year left on his three-year deal, but the "option for 2015 has not been exercised" (L.A. TIMES, 10/9). In California, Steve Fryer writes if Dipoto and Moreno can "focus on getting reliable pitching and go cold turkey on the team’s mania for signing big-name hitting stars, Scioscia and the Angels will have a fighting chance" in '14 (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 10/9).

THANK YOU NOTE: MLB Giants President & CEO Larry Baer yesterday sent a letter to season-ticket holders that read in part, "For years we have admired and appreciated the enthusiasm and loyalty of our fans. This season I was awestruck. No team in baseball has what we have. Not even close. As we dropped in the standings after our World Series Championship season, you stuck with us" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 10/8).

IT AIN'T EASY BEING GREEN: In Dallas, Mike Heika notes while the Stars "didn’t sell out" their first two games at American Airlines Center this season, the team got 16,100 for the opener and 17,200 on Saturday. Stars Owner Tom Gaglardi said, "Right now, that’s a great increase over what we were doing, and a great sign that people are excited. I’m really pleased with what we have been able to do to get people interested, and I think we’re making a lot of progress in that area." Gaglardi also is "happy with the official debut of the new uniforms." The Stars put "a lot of time and money into rebranding the team with a new color (Victory Green) and a new logo." Gaglardi said that he "felt the impact was clear in both games" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/9).